Chico Project SAVE (Salvage All Valuable Equipment) collects, then re-distributes, quality recycled medical and dental equipment and supplies both locally and around the world, in an effort to help people receive needed care who otherwise might not. The organization was founded in the early 1990's by Dr. Phyllis Cullen, saving supplies and equipment for local physicians going on medical missions, and has been enlarged and directed since 2004 by Chico, CA, resident Janice Walker. The administration and staff are all unpaid volunteers with the exception of our new paid manager to help stear our project into the future. Shipping costs are paid with tax-deductible donations. Recipient and donor organizations are asked to raise the funds for shipping costs.
Since its first shipment from our garage in 2004, Chico Project SAVE has collected, stored, sorted, inventoried, staged, loaded, and shipped the equivalent of more than 267 twenty-foot containers of recycled medical, dental and other supplies estimated at over 30 million+ dollars to 49 countries and people in need around the world, as well as distributing to many local individuals, families and organizations. These supplies were otherwise designated for landfills but became valuable assets for struggling hospitals and clinics in underdeveloped countries, as well as local fire victims and handicapped persons to which we have supplied approximately 15,000 items to an estimated 4,600 persons annulally.
Unpaid volunteers have donated 1,000's of hours of time and effort on Chico Project SAVE's behalf over the years. Many of our stories can be found on this website, although it would be impossible to document every challenge, every triumph, and, of course, inevitable setbacks. Please visit often to read our stories. And, of course, donations of time, labor and funds are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
SEE SOME OF THE RESPONSES FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL RECIPIENTS Prior to Receiving our Donations:
"We did not have wheelchairs to move patients so we used wheelbarrows." Dr. Bill McCoy, Papua, New Guinea. "When we ran out of sutures we used fishing line." Dr. Eugene Cleek, Cameroon, Africa. "We had to wash out our rubber gloves, hang them on a clothesline, and re-use them. A size 5 1/2 glove would expand to a 7 1/2 size after several washings." Dr. Alan Melicor, Malaybalay, Philippines.
